Travis Scott and Astroworld festival promoter Live Nation both have checkered safety histories, records show
The deadly crush that killed eight people and injured more than 300 others during Travis Scott's set at Friday night's Astroworld festival in Houston isn't the first tragedy to strike a large concert. Nor is it the first fatal incident for Live Nation Entertainment, the festival's promoter and world's largest live events company, the Houston Chronicle reports, citing a review citing court records.
Some of the more than 200 deaths and 750 injuries at Live Nation events over the past 15 years were acts of murder and terrorism — the suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, and the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas, both in 2017 — but other cases were workplace accidents. Seven people were killed and 61 injured when a stage collapsed in Indiana in 2011, for example. NPR uncovered numerous Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations against Live Nation.
Live Nation said Monday it will "continue to support and assist local authorities in their ongoing investigation so that both the fans who attended and their families can get the answers they want and deserve, and we will address all legal matters at the appropriate time."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Scott's 2019 Astroworld festival also saw three people injured in a stampede to get into the venue, NRG Park. Houston law enforcement says Friday's crowd at NRG Park, capped at 50,000, rushed the stage, leading to a "mass casualty event" that lasted 40 minutes. The incident is the subject of a criminal investigation and at least 12 lawsuits. Since the Houston police and fire departments were deeply involved in the safety measures and permitting for the festival, some officials are calling for an independent investigation, The Associated Press reports.
Scott's electric and chaotic performance style, in which he often encourages fans to "rage" and rush past security to the stage, is also under scrutiny after Friday's tragedy, The New York Times reports.
At the 2015 Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, for example, Scott's set was shut down after five minutes amid a stampede in which a 15-year-old girl was injured. Scott had told fans to rush the barricades and chant 'We want rage,' and he later pleaded guilty to reckless conduct, the Times reports. He was arrested again and fined $7,465 for inciting a riot after a 2017 Arkansas show where he urged fans to evade security and rush the stage.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The future of X
Talking Point Trump's ascendancy is reviving the platform's coffers, whether or not a merger is on the cards
By The Week UK Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published